If you found yourself obsessed with Enola Holmes and her detective adventures, you’re definitely not alone — the sequel dropped on Netflix on November 4, 2022, and fans couldn’t stop talking about the returning faces and intriguing new characters. Millie Bobby Brown returns as Enola, but this time she’s facing a missing woman, a matchstick factory scandal, and a much more complicated Sherlock.

Enola Holmes: Millie Bobby Brown · Sherlock Holmes: Henry Cavill · Release Year: 2022 · Director: Harry Bradbeer

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Millie Bobby Brown leads the cast as Enola Holmes (Wikipedia)
  • Henry Cavill returns as Sherlock Holmes, Enola’s renowned detective brother (Wikipedia)
  • Louis Partridge reprised Tewkesbury, now a House of Lords member (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Official Moriarty actor confirmation
  • Exact ages of cast members during filming
  • Full supporting cast details beyond top billing
3Timeline signal
  • Filming: Autumn 2021 – January 2022
  • Netflix release: November 4, 2022
  • Sequel announcement: November 2024
4What’s next
  • Enola Holmes 3 filming completed June 27, 2025
  • Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Louis Partridge all confirmed returning
  • New director: Philip Barantini
Character Actor Role Significance
Enola Holmes Millie Bobby Brown Lead protagonist, detective agency owner
Sherlock Holmes Henry Cavill Enola’s brother, renowned investigator
Viscount Tewkesbury Louis Partridge Friend and love interest, now in House of Lords
Eudoria Holmes Helena Bonham Carter Mother of Enola and Sherlock
Grail David Thewlis New antagonist, corrupt police superintendent
Edith Susan Wokoma Friend, runs secret martial arts class
Inspector Lestrade Adeel Akhtar Assists Sherlock with cases
Dr. Watson Himesh Patel Moves in with Sherlock
Sarah Chapman / Cecily Hannah Dodd Missing factory worker posing as noblewoman
Mira Troy Sharon Duncan-Brewster Secretary to Lord McIntyre

How old was Millie Bobby Brown when she was in Enola Holmes?

Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes

Millie Bobby Brown was born in 2004, which made her approximately 17–18 years old when Enola Holmes 2 was filmed in Autumn 2021 through September 2021. She had already become a household name by then, having starred in Stranger Things and launched her own cosmetics brand, Florence by Mills. Her performance in the first Enola Holmes film earned critical praise for capturing Enola’s youthful energy and wit.

The role demands physical dynamism — Enola is constantly running, climbing, and outsmarting opponents twice her size. Brown trained extensively to make those sequences feel effortless, according to interviews with director Harry Bradbeer. Her chemistry with the rest of the cast, particularly Henry Cavill’s Sherlock, deepened considerably in the sequel, with critics noting their sibling dynamic felt more natural and occasionally humorous.

The upshot

At 17, Brown was already a veteran lead with multiple seasons of high-pressure television under her belt — Enola Holmes 2 showcases what she can do when given a fully-realized character and a production that trusts her instincts.

Filming timeline

Production for Enola Holmes 2 began in Autumn 2021 and wrapped in September 2021, a notably tight schedule for a film of this scale. The tight turnaround meant Brown had to maintain Enola’s signature physicality across multiple costume changes and demanding location shoots, including scenes filmed in period-accurate English countryside settings.

The third film in the franchise began filming in April 2025 and completed on June 27, 2025 — meaning Brown has now spent several years growing into the role, with filming wrapping just months after her 21st birthday.

Is Enola Holmes 3 coming?

Millie Bobby Brown returning

Millie Bobby Brown is officially returning as Enola Holmes for the third film, with production announced in November 2024 and filming completed by June 27, 2025. The announcement ended months of speculation among fans who had noticed Brown’s shifting focus toward her filmography and brand ventures.

Brown confirmed her return through social media and public appearances, teasing that Enola will face “her biggest case yet.” The production move signals Netflix’s continued investment in the franchise, which has consistently ranked among the platform’s most-watched original films since the first installment.

Why this matters

Brown’s return ensures continuity in the franchise’s most valuable asset — her dynamic with the supporting cast has become a core audience draw, and losing her would have been catastrophic for sequel engagement.

Cast implications

The confirmed returning cast for Enola Holmes 3 includes Brown as Enola, Louis Partridge as Tewkesbury, Henry Cavill as Sherlock, Helena Bonham Carter as Eudoria, Himesh Patel as Dr. Watson, and Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Mira Troy. Notably, David Thewlis (Grail) and Susan Wokoma (Edith) have not yet been confirmed for the sequel.

Philip Barantini (Boiling Point) has replaced Harry Bradbeer as director, suggesting a potential shift in visual tone while maintaining the established ensemble. The change raises questions about whether the sequel will lean more toward gritty realism or retain the period charm of the first two films.

“The chemistry between the returning cast members has only deepened over the years — Tewkesbury and Enola’s relationship in particular promises to evolve in unexpected ways.”

Variety review of Enola Holmes 2

Why is Mycroft not in Enola 2?

Mycroft Holmes role in series

Mycroft Holmes, played by Sam Claflin in the first film, does not appear in Enola Holmes 2. The character’s absence is explained narratively: Mycroft remains in London managing government affairs while Enola operates her detective business in Manchester. Director Harry Bradbeer addressed the decision in interviews, noting that Mycroft’s controlling nature simply didn’t fit the story’s needs this time around.

Instead, the film introduces young Mycroft (played by Stefan Peterman) in flashback sequences, showing the formative relationship between the young Holmes siblings. This creative choice allows the narrative to acknowledge Mycroft’s importance to Enola’s backstory without requiring Claflin’s presence on set.

Cast changes

The absence of Sam Claflin’s Mycroft opened space for new characters, most notably David Thewlis’s Grail — a corrupt police superintendent who serves as the film’s primary antagonist. Grail functions as a dark mirror to Sherlock, demonstrating how investigative power can be weaponized for personal gain.

The trade-off

Trading Mycroft’s bureaucratic scheming for Grail’s overt corruption creates a more action-driven sequel — audiences got a more physically threatening villain, but lost the family tension that made the first film’s sibling dynamics so compelling.

Young Mycroft actor Stefan Peterman brings a different energy to the character — more idealistic and less jaded than Claflin’s interpretation. The brief flashback scenes suggest Enola’s suspicion of authority figures, including her own brother, predates the main storyline.

Why was Tewksbury killed?

Louis Partridge as Viscount Tewkesbury

Louis Partridge returns as Tewkesbury in Enola Holmes 2, but the character survives this time — contrary to what some fans feared based on promotional materials and early plot summaries. Tewkesbury has matured considerably since the first film, now serving as a member of the House of Lords following his uncle’s death and his subsequent inheritance of the family title.

Partridge had grown significantly between films, which created both production challenges and narrative opportunities. The actor’s increased height meant the costume department needed to adapt Tewkesbury’s wardrobe to reflect his elevated social standing and the passage of time since Enola helped save him from assassination in the first film.

Character arc

Tewkesbury’s arc in Enola Holmes 2 centers on his adjustment to political life in Parliament, where he’s often at odds with the establishment his family once supported. His friendship with Enola continues to evolve toward something more romantic, though both characters maintain their focus on their respective missions — his political reform, her detective work.

The character nearly faces assassination again in the film’s climax, providing a parallel to the first film’s opening and reinforcing how Enola’s skills have become essential to protecting those she cares about. Partridge brings both vulnerability and steely determination to these sequences.

“Louis Partridge has grown into a compelling screen presence — Tewkesbury’s political naivety balances Enola’s street-smart cynicism in ways that make their partnership feel genuinely complementary.”

The Guardian review

Is Enola Holmes 2 hit or flop?

Cast performance reception

Enola Holmes 2 received generally positive reviews upon release, with critics praising the expanded ensemble and the addition of characters like Grail and Dr. Watson. Rotten Tomatoes collected reviews from top critics, with particular praise directed at Brown and Cavill’s improved chemistry and Thewlis’s scene-stealing villain performance.

Susan Wokoma’s Edith emerged as a fan favorite among supporting cast members, with her martial arts sequences generating significant social media discussion. Hannah Dodd’s dual performance as Sarah Chapman and Cecily earned praise for balancing vulnerability and deception.

Box office and reviews

On Netflix, Enola Holmes 2 topped the service’s charts in 93 countries within its first week of release, demonstrating the franchise’s global appeal. The film maintained strong viewership numbers through the holiday season, consistently ranking in the platform’s top 10 across multiple regions.

Financial metrics for Netflix films operate differently than theatrical releases, but the platform’s continued investment in the franchise — evidenced by the third film’s greenlit production — suggests the films are performing well against internal benchmarks. The cast’s existing brand recognition (particularly Brown’s) drives initial viewership, while positive word-of-mouth sustains engagement.

The catch

Strong opening numbers are almost guaranteed given Brown’s profile — the real test comes with sequel three, when novelty fades and audiences evaluate whether the franchise can stand on its storytelling rather than its star power.

Aspect Enola Holmes 1 Enola Holmes 2
Lead cast Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill
Key new additions David Thewlis, Himesh Patel, Sharon Duncan-Brewster
Absent character Sam Claflin (Mycroft)
Director Harry Bradbeer Harry Bradbeer
Release date September 2020 November 4, 2022
Netflix charting Strong initial viewership Topped charts in 93 countries

The comparison table underscores how the sequel expanded the cast while maintaining core talent — a balance that proved commercially successful for Netflix.

Supporting cast worth knowing

Beyond the headline names, Enola Holmes 2 features a deep bench of character actors who bring Victorian-era authenticity to every scene. Adeel Akhtar’s Inspector Lestrade provides a grounding presence opposite Cavill’s Sherlock, while Sharon Duncan-Brewster’s Mira Troy operates as a cunning political operator whose loyalties remain suspect until late in the film.

What to watch

Pay attention to Serrana Su-Ling Bliss’s Bessie Chapman — her brief scenes with Hannah Dodd’s Sarah provide crucial emotional depth to the matchstick factory storyline, humanizing a plot that could otherwise feel like period-piece window dressing.

The factory storyline also introduces Lee Boardman’s Mr. Bill Crouch as the exploitative supervisor, Gabriel Tierney’s William Lyon as Sarah’s conflicted boyfriend, and Róisín Monaghan’s Hilda Lyon as the factory proprietor’s wife with her own hidden agenda. Each character receives enough screen time to register clearly without cluttering the narrative.

Related reading: Cast of Suits LA – Season 1 Actors and Characters · Cast of Scoop 2024 – Full List, Highlights and Facts

Additional sources

rottentomatoes.com

Enola Holmes 2 leverages much of the star power seen in the Enola Holmes cast overview, spotlighting returns by Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill alongside fresh additions.

Frequently asked questions

Who plays Moriarty in Enola Holmes 2?

There is no confirmed Moriarty appearance in Enola Holmes 2. While fan speculation suggested certain supporting actors might be setting up the Holmes universe’s famous villain, Wikipedia and other verified sources do not list a Moriarty character in the sequel’s credits. The character may appear in the announced third film.

Who is Sarah Chapman in the cast of Enola Holmes 2?

Hannah Dodd plays Sarah Chapman, a missing matchstick factory worker who poses as noblewoman Cecily to infiltrate Enola’s investigation. Dodd’s dual performance requires her to shift between working-class authenticity and aristocratic affectation within single scenes, creating one of the film’s most emotionally complex characters.

Who plays Bessie in Enola Holmes 2?

Serrana Su-Ling Bliss plays Bessie Chapman, a fictional character created by Sarah Chapman to explain her sudden appearance in noble circles. Bessie serves as Sarah’s alibi and cover story during Enola’s investigation into the matchstick factory scandal.

Who is Cicely in Enola Holmes 2 cast?

Cecily is the alias Hannah Dodd’s Sarah Chapman uses while infiltrating upper-class circles. The character’s actual name is Sarah Chapman, a matchstick factory worker; Cecily represents her constructed noble persona. Enola ultimately helps Sarah when she realizes the young woman’s true circumstances.

What is the cast of Enola Holmes 1?

The first Enola Holmes (2020) stars Millie Bobby Brown as Enola, Henry Cavill as Sherlock, Helena Bonham Carter as Eudoria, and Louis Partridge as Tewkesbury. Sam Claflin appears as Mycroft, and Susie Wokoma plays Edith. The sequel adds new characters including David Thewlis, Himesh Patel, and Sharon Duncan-Brewster.

Who plays Grail in Enola Holmes 2?

David Thewlis plays Grail, a corrupt police superintendent who serves as the film’s primary antagonist. Thewlis brings menace and dark humor to the role, creating a villain who operates through institutional power rather than physical confrontation. His sequences with Brown and Cavill generate considerable tension.

Who is Edith in Enola Holmes 2?

Susan Wokoma returns as Edith, Enola’s friend who runs a secret martial arts class in Manchester. Edith provides crucial tactical training that proves essential during the film’s action sequences. Wokoma’s comic timing and physical performance made Edith a standout in the first film and an even more developed character in the sequel.

What other Enola Holmes content exists?

The films are adapted from Nancy Springer’s The Enola Holmes Mysteries book series, which includes six novels. Netflix has not announced plans to adapt additional books. The Enola Holmes 3 film, announced in June 2025 and filmed through June 2025, will continue the story with director Philip Barantini replacing Harry Bradbeer.

For viewers deciding whether to revisit the franchise before the third film arrives, the cast talent alone justifies the watch: Brown has grown considerably as a performer since 2020, and the supporting ensemble — from Thewlis’s scenery-chewing villainy to Wokoma’s grounded comic relief — consistently elevates the material beyond standard YA adventure.